On Sunday, June 28, 2026, violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo reportedly claimed the lives of numerous civilians after an attack in the village of Lumbishi. According to a statement issued by the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC-M23), the incident occurred at approximately 1:00 p.m., when forces aligned with the government in Kinshasa allegedly entered the area, looted civilian property, and set multiple homes ablaze. AFC-M23 stated that entire families were trapped inside burning houses and lost their lives, describing the events as one of the most devastating attacks against civilians in the region in recent weeks.
The movement alleged that the operation targeted residential neighborhoods rather than military positions, leaving widespread destruction and forcing surviving residents to flee in search of safety. Homes, personal belongings, and livelihoods were reportedly destroyed during the attack, adding to the humanitarian challenges already facing communities across eastern Congo. Witness accounts cited by AFC-M23 described scenes of panic as flames spread rapidly through the village, while many residents were unable to escape in time.
The reported incident has intensified concerns about the security situation in South Kivu, where civilians continue to bear the consequences of prolonged armed conflict. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that repeated cycles of violence have displaced large numbers of families, disrupted access to food, healthcare, and education, and increased the vulnerability of children, women, and elderly residents. Incidents involving attacks on civilian communities further deepen fears among local populations who have already endured years of instability.
In its statement, AFC-M23 strongly condemned the attack and accused forces loyal to the Kinshasa government of committing serious violations against civilians. The movement characterized the reported actions as war crimes and crimes against humanity, arguing that the deliberate destruction of homes and the killing of non-combatants represent grave breaches of international humanitarian law. AFC-M23 called for independent documentation of the incident and urged regional and international stakeholders to closely examine the reported events.
The movement also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians living in areas under its influence, stating that it remains determined to defend local populations against further attacks. AFC-M23 appealed to the Congolese people, members of the international community, humanitarian partners, and mediators involved in ongoing peace efforts to take note of the allegations and support efforts aimed at preventing further violence against civilians. The group emphasized that accountability for attacks on innocent people is essential to achieving lasting peace and restoring confidence among affected communities.
The reported events in Lumbishi come as diplomatic initiatives continue to seek a political solution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite ongoing mediation efforts, armed confrontations and competing claims by parties to the conflict continue to fuel instability across the region. The latest allegations underscore the urgent need for credible investigations into reported abuses, enhanced protection for civilian populations, and renewed commitment by all parties to respect international humanitarian law while advancing peaceful dialogue to end the suffering of communities caught in the conflict.
